Scripture Reading: Exodus 31:1-11
“And I have filled him (Bezalel) with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship…I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you.”—Exodus 31:3, 6
When the Israelites were called out of Egypt, God had to teach them how to worship to include establishing the protocols, spaces and articles for worship. God gave Moses detailed instructions for fabricating the worship articles: the priestly garments, tabernacle, ark, mercy seat, altar, lampstand and more, all to exacting measurements. God even provided the precious metals and gems for the work, given to the Israelites by the Egyptians as they left out of bondage.
Moses and the Israelites had the concept and materials for all they were to do, yet there was no one who could perform the task of making these articles. There was no trade school, school of art and design, nor master craftsmen to teach them how to fabricate these articles. That is until God placed a spirit into the selected artisans which enabled them to perform the tasks.
There are times God places us in positions in which we are totally unqualified to handle, yet somehow we make it through. The test you aced that you thought you had barely passed. The job you got that was beyond your education and experience level. The opportunities you’ve been given which simply cannot be explained. Difficult circumstances you’ve faced and dreaded, which seemed simple to manage at the time of decision and action. In spite of the work you’ve put into getting there and the acclaim you’ve gotten, the truth is it wasn’t you, but the God in you who got you through.
The key point in the wisdom, understanding and knowledge these Israelite artisans possessed was the reason they were given all these skills—to create things to serve and glorify God, not themselves. That is an essential point. We can get things confused and believe our skills and accomplishments are a reflection of our own ingenuity, hard work or goodness, when our successes are clearly a reflection of the God in us. God’s expectation—that we use all that has been poured into us to give credit and glorify where it is due; to God, not ourselves.
Those God-given skills not only serve to bring out occupational or artistic abilities. Our greatest God-given ability is the power to live holy and righteous lives; the power to love, forgive and encourage others. The tools, talents and temperament to accomplish all we’ve been tasked to do is there because God placed it in each of us.
Lesson to Remember: You can meet every challenge because you have been gifted to give God glory.
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”—Philippians 2:13
Thank you,